PROCEEDING'S OF SECTION G. 503^ 



each (whether first votes or transferred votes), the numbers oppo- 

 site the names of each candidate are added together and the can- 

 didates who poll most heavily, to the required number, are elected. 



These, then, are the essential features of the scheme. In the 

 first place it borrows from the Hare system the idea of massed 

 electorates. It is based on the "party list" system in so far as 

 it gives greater weight to the elector's views on policy than to his 

 preferences for individuals; but it escapes the defect of the " party 

 list" system (that of disfranchising very small minorities) by 

 providing for the transfer of the "party" votes of a rejected 

 independent candidate, so that the only vote wasted is the " in- 

 dividual vote " given to the rejected candidate. It uses Laplace's 

 system of preferential voting, and thus is perfectly equitable 

 between the different electors and the different candidates. Lastly, 

 both "party" votes and "individual" votes can be counted in 

 the different precincts without being brought together to a central 

 polling place — a point of practical superiority to the Hare system. 

 Both on practical and theoretical groimds, therefore, the scheme is 

 commended to your attention. 



One of the distinctive features of the scheme is that the 

 " party " vote of a rejected candidate is allotted to another party 

 according to the preference disclosed by the elector in casting his 

 " individual " vote. This is advantageous in this respect, that the 

 scheme of voting is made easier for the general public, and the 

 elector need not be overloaded with detail. The following instruc- 

 tions might be printed on the Ijallot-paper for a Senate election : - — 



(1) You are allowed to give one vote for a party above the 



line. You must give this by^ placing a cross in the 

 square opposite the name of the party for which you 

 desire to vote. 



(2) You can vote for three individual candidates below the 



line. Put the figure 3 in the square opposite the name 

 of your first choice, the figure 2 opposite your second 

 choice, and the figure 1 opposite your third choice. 



(3) If your party vote is given to an independent candidate 



von must give your first individual vote — No. 3 — 

 to that candidate below the line. 



(4) If your party vote is given either to the Liberal party oi 



Labour party you must give at least two individual 

 votes (these must be No. 3 and No. 2) below the line 

 to members of that party. ^ 



1. In the ca<!e of an election for House of Representatives an elector would be instructed 

 to give at least three " individual " votes to his party in a five member constituency, and at 

 Iea(»t four in a seven member constituency. 



